NEW YORK: The United Nations Security Council on Friday failed to adopt a resolution stressing for an immediate ceasefire in the war-hit Gaza, after Russia and China, voted against the measure proposed by the US.
The resolution demanded an immediate and sustained ceasefire for only six weeks that would protect civilians and ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
The US, Israel’s key ally which had vetoed previous ceasefire resolution, proposed a new resolution which for the first time supporting an immediate and sustained ceasefire while condemning the October 7 attack by Hamas.
Russia and China used their vetoes, whereas Algeria also voted against the resolution and Guyana abstained. The other 11 Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution, including permanent members Britain and France.
Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, termed the draft exceedingly politicized and contained a green signal for Israel to enhance a military operation in Rafah.
He added that the US was doing nothing to stop Israel, while mocking the US for calling ceasefire after Gaza has been virtually wiped off from the Earth.
“We have observed a typical hypocritical spectacle,” he said.
He added the objective of the American move is to satisfy US voters by mentioning a ceasefire in Gaza in the resolution.
Resolution tried to give impunity to Israel
The diplomat added the resolution tried to give impunity to Israel, whose crimes are not even mentioned in the draft.
The draft was linked to a ceasefire to ongoing negotiations, led by Qatar with support from the US and Egypt, to pause the war in return for Hamas releasing captives.
The US ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, termed the Chinese and Russian vetoes as cynical. She added that Russia and China did not want to vote for a resolution as it was proposed by the United States.
Meanwhile, EU leaders have called for ‘immediate humanitarian pause’ in Gaza. The EU’s 27 leaders called for an “immediate humanitarian pause” in Gaza as they urged Israel not to launch a major ground operation in the southernmost city of Rafah.
According to the Gaza health ministry Israel’s relentless and brutal bombardment of Gaza has killed nearly 32,000 people including women and children.
